EU defense and foreign ministers to discuss Afghan war effort

Associated Press

Last update: November 16, 2009 - 4:24 AM

BRUSSELS - EU defense and foreign ministers will discuss how to shore up the government of Afghanistan amid plummeting public support in Europe for the U.S.-led war in Central Asia.

An EU spokeswoman says Kai Eide, the top U.N. official in Kabul, will brief ministers Monday on President Hamid Karzai's efforts to form a new government in Afghanistan after his recent re-election.

She says the 27-nation bloc will remain engaged in Afghanistan. But the EU, a major aid donor, seeks a new compact with Karzai's administration to ensure good governance and an end to corruption.

Public opinion polls in Europe have shown growing disenchantment with the war at a time when the top U.S. commander is requesting thousands more U.S. and European troops for the escalating war.

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